Ohio Supreme Court declines to hear Widmer appeal

Ryan Widmer is the Warren County man accused of drowning his wife, Sarah, in their bathtub.More >>

The Ohio Supreme Court has refused to hear Ryan Widmer's bid for a fourth trial in the 2008 bathtub drowning of his wife.

The state's highest court Wednesday stated it declines jurisdiction in Widmer's appeal of last year's ruling by the state's 12th District Court of Appeals.

Widmer's attorneys contend that police improperly removed the couple's bathtub from their home as evidence. Prosecutors responded that the argument had no legal merit.

The 12th District appeals court in January rejected a separate appeal focused on a detective's alleged misconduct and lack of testing of Sarah Widmer's remains for a possible genetic disorder. Attorney Michele Berry-Godsey says she is asking the state Supreme Court to review that appeal, and will go to federal courts on the bathtub removal appeal.

A message was left Wednesday for Widmer's attorney seeking comment on appeal plans.

Widmer is serving 15 years to life for a 2011 murder conviction for the death of his wife, Sarah.

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